English referee Mark Clattenburg has seen the very highs, and the very lows, of what whistle blowing can bring. From a UEFA Champions League semi-final between Bayern Munich and Barcelona, or an Olympics Games gold medal match, to being accused by Chelsea of being a racist in a stormy game against Manchester United in 2012.

It’s easy for fans, pundits, coaches, players and angry supporters on social media to vent, but how does the actual man in the middle cope with it? “24 cans of beer”, Clattenburg joke “No, it’s difficult. A lot of guys deal with it in different ways. I’ll have a few beers, because it’s stressful. You have to wind down; the wife and family leave us alone. Within 24 hours, you turn. We use sports psychologists and it’s important to say ‘park it, move on’.” One of those examples was the stormy afternoon at Stamford Bridge in 2012, when he sent off Branislav Ivanovic and Fernando Torres as Chelsea lost to Manchester United 3-2, with the winning goal offside, before he was accused of calling Jon Obi Mikel a “monkey”. Mikel was subsequently suspended for three games, while Clattenburg was cleared. “Probably the biggest low in my life was the Chelsea-Manchester United game, when I was accused of being a racist. But, take the racism out of it, one of the biggest lows, was I thought I was right when I sent off Torres”, Clattenburg reflected. “I possibly was right under the laws of the game. But under the spirit of the game, to reduce a team down to nine men for simulation is too tough, in hindsight I was wrong. I should’ve been experienced enough to use my knowledge of the game to not reduce a team down to nine men. I probably would’ve taken less criticism after the game. I’m not saying things would’ve changed, but I would’ve looked back at the match and thought ‘okay, the offside goal’s not my fault’... I’ve made many mistakes in my career but it’s made me the man I am now.” And it’s not always easy to deal with, given the rampant spotlight on elite sport nowadays. “Your life changes, of course it does”, he said. “When you go out you’re a recognised figure. That’s not something I want to be, but in England, it’s difficult because the scrutiny in England, you’re like a player. The media have turned referees into world stars – because controlling a football match at the highest level takes a lot of effort and dedication. I think social media has changed a lot of things, because people can have an opinion, but don’t have the insights into handling multi-millionaires successfully. That takes a lot of man management skills. The laws of the game are there, you have to understand them and apply… a little bit of understanding, life understanding, and that’ll make the most successful referee. If you apply the laws of the game strictly, the public paying extremely good money won’t see an event. Even on Saturday, I could’ve blown five or six more free-kicks, but I was taking risks. The game needed to be moved on to another level, also, the ICC, you don’t want to see a send-off early, people have paid to watch a good game of football between 11 v 11.” Clattenburg reveals a feel for the game and its nuances that the public take for granted when watching the match. Indeed, in a fascinating insight into the work that goes into becoming a top line referee, dealing with the likes of Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho, or multi-millionaire egos on the football pitch, Clattenburg explained to foxsports.com.au some of the requirements to stay at the top of the EPL for a decade, while becoming one of UEFA’s best referees.

Legendary referee Pierluigi Collina, the boss of UEFA’s whistle blowers, has taught Clattenburg the importance of detail, particularly as they’re exposed to more different styles of player from across the globe. “For example, I did Bayern v Barcelona, the (UEFA Champions League) semi-final, he was my observer and he gave me some tips from the first game, a little insight, and when I saw it in the game, I knew exactly what was going to happen,” he revealed. It was tactical. It was unbelievable, it solved the game. From the 16th minute, when he gave me some information and I punished it with a foul, the simplest foul that any journalist or anyone in the world wouldn’t have thought anything of, it actually won us the match. That simple preparation won us the match. I’ll openly admit five years ago I didn’t prepare for a game. I just turned up. You can’t now; you need to know everything that’s going on”. Alongside the mental side of the game, referees need to keep pace – and the EPL is renowned as the quickest in the world. Pre-season involves high intensity and endurance work, while in the season recovery becomes as big a factor as speed becomes more of a focus. “When I first started in the Premier League, I would see statistics and I would work hard in the first-half and then fatigue in the second-half”, Clattenburg said. “Most of my mistakes were made in the last 10 minutes. That was interesting, because, I wasn’t fit for the level I was refereeing at. I was 96 kilo – a big young boy, now I’m 74-75, less than 10 per cent body fat. That’s something I’ve dedicated to because the modern game has changed. 10 years ago, the game wasn’t as quick as it is now. You’ve got athletes. As a referee, you’ve got to make sure you’re in the best position possible. Distance is important. We use Pro Zone and they calculate how far away you are from the ball. But it’s also about perception – players will accept the decision more if you’re closer, and if you are, you’ve got less chance of a player running across you. People don’t understand, they see it clear on camera – but sometimes a player can run across you at the wrong time, and you can miss it,” he said. Clattenburg admits he’s a bit different in his approach as his fitness allows him to get wider of the play to make the best decision possible. “Definitely true, because if you’re looking at a front end decision, you’ll see it differently. If I’m looking front on to an attacker I can’t see an attacker behind, but if I go wide, I can see the push or the touch on the ankle and you can’t guess in football. When a player goes down now, you’ve got to make sure you’ve seen the contact. And if there’s contact, you’ve got to be sure it’s a foul – because the way some of these players hit free-kicks now, it’s like giving a penalty. Coaches and players who lose will analyse a game and then move on. It’s the same in refereeing; you have to learn from your mistakes. It’s the most important thing. You’re not going to be right all the time. Don’t just say I got it wrong, ask why”, he said. “One of my weaknesses is I lose concentration. The game might be too easy, I’m strolling around, and I lose my concentration and thought. It’s like a goalkeeper losing his thought and the ball goes past him. I’m trying to find ways not to lose my concentration. As long as you understand why you’re making mistakes...”

The Europa League curse is an excuse for players – but what about referees returning from the continent, fitting two or three games into a week? “Gone are the days where you’d have a beer after the match. Sure, you want to enjoy the success of a match. But once it’s done, you want to start preparing yourself for your next one. For example, if you’re doing a Champions League game Wednesday, travelling Thursday, got a game Saturday – once the game’s done Wednesday evening late, you’re preparing for your next one. Is it a massage, a recovery, even if you’re travelling – for me living in the North, it’s difficult with travel time. It’s what happens all season”. Clattenburg says the work-life balance that full-time refereeing allows will not just improve standards, but encourage aspiring referees. “I wouldn’t call them ‘professional’ referees. Every referee in the world is professional, on the field and off the field. The dedication I’ve seen these guys do is phenomenal”, he said. “These guys are at the same level, just that they haven’t got the full-time commitment from the financial and off the field point of view. What full-time referees allows, it makes them figure heads for the next generation. And that’s what improves – the next generation want to be full-time referees. It gives them something to enjoy. What job allows me to stand on the MCG, in the middle of a Real Madrid v Roma match, and I’m the happiest man in the world because that is the most satisfying. We have 30,000 referees, but only 17 full-time. The ratio is small. But what happens in England is they might have a mid-week game, go to work fatigued, and then they have to train to keep fit in the evening. Where’s the family time? And family time is important to me – so if I’m happy, when I go out to referee, I’m happy. It’s a great balance”.

FIFA’s decision to eliminate the age limits for international referees has been confirmed by the Circular no. 1497, recently sent to all national associations. There will be no more maximum age for first time nominations (38) and no more retirement age (45). In order to be nominated for the 2016 list, referees must be born no later than 1990 and assistant referees must be born no later than 1992 in order to ensure a minimum level of experience. FIFA reserves the right to require referees over the age of 45 (born in 1971 or before) to undergo additional technical assessments as well as specific medical examinations and fitness testing on a case-by-case basis. Each candidate must be ranked based on the marks obtained for officiating games at the national level during the 12 months prior to being nominated to the list of international referees, not in alphabetical order. At a minimum, all nominated referees must pass a FIFA-approved fitness test and a medical examination on or after 18 June 2015. The deadline to nominate international referees for the upcoming year is 18 October 2015.

Each year, FIFA publishes a list of referees, a list of assistant referees, a list of futsal referees and a list of beach soccer referees who are eligible to officiate at international matches. These lists come into effect on 1 January and are valid until 31 December of the same year.

Article 2

The FIFA Referees Committee shall draw up the lists of international referees, assistant referees, futsal referees and beach soccer referees in compliance with the articles of the FIFA Statutes.

Article 3

Each year, the FIFA Referees Committee shall request each member association to nominate candidates whom they consider qualified to act as an international referee, assistant referee, futsal referee or beach soccer referee.

When nominating a candidate, the member associations shall observe the following conditions:

1. Candidates may be nominated for only one list.

2. Member associations that do not have an organised league may not make any nominations.

3. The maximum number of referees from each association shall be decided annually by the FIFA Referees Committee, taking the following factors, among others, into account:

3.1. The level of refereeing of each association

3.2. The level of competitions of each association

3.3. The professional level of each association’s competitions

4. The proposed referees shall be at least 25 years old (23 years old in the case of assistant referees) on 1 January of the year for which they have been nominated. See also the additional requirements for referees over the age of 45 under article 4 paragraph 7.

5. The proposed referees shall have officiated regularly at matches in the highest division in their country for at least two years.

6. Only candidates who have officiated more often as assistant referees than as referees in the previous twelve months may be considered for the list of international assistant referees.

7. The proposed referees shall have passed the appropriate FIFA fitness test related to the list they belong to within the four months prior to the deadline for nomination for the lists of international referees and assistant referees. They shall also have passed a medical examination certifying that they are fit to act as referees within the four months prior to the deadline for nomination for the lists of international referees. FIFA reserves the right to require referees over the age of 45 to undergo additional technical assessments as well as specific medical examinations and fitness testing on a case-by-case basis.

8. Only women referees or women assistant referees who have passed FIFA’s physical fitness test set for men may be nominated for men’s tournaments or matches.

9. Candidates who are injured, ill or pregnant at the time of registration may be approved provisionally until they have passed the above-mentioned medical examination and physical fitness test and FIFA has received official notification of the results.

10. The member associations shall supply FIFA with the rankings of the proposed referees based on the marks obtained at national level. These rankings shall apply only to first division matches at which they have officiated in the twelve months prior to their nomination.

11. The official forms shall be returned, duly completed and bearing the association’s official stamp, to the FIFA general secretariat by the prescribed deadline.

12. Failure to fulfil any of the foregoing conditions will lead to rejection of the candidate in question.

Article 5

An international referee included in one of the lists for any given year may not be proposed for any other list until a period of twelve months (for specialised training) has elapsed. This period shall begin on the day on which the referee concerned no longer appears on the international list.

Article 6

A referee proposed for the lists may not exercise any official function as a member of an executive committee, general secretary, or member of the referees committee of any football club, member association, confederation or FIFA.

Article 7

The FIFA Referees Committee shall decide which nominations will be accepted for the lists of

international referees, assistant referees, futsal referees and beach soccer referees. The committee may consult the confederations before reaching a decision.

Article 8

The committee reserves the right to decide on the number of referees, assistant referees, futsal

referees and beach soccer referees that it deems appropriate for the lists. When making its choice, the committee is not obliged to accept the ranking mentioned in art. 4, par. 10 above.

Article 9

The referees selected will automatically be given the FIFA international referee's, assistant referee's, futsal referee's or beach soccer referee's badge, which they shall wear at all of the domestic and international matches at which they officiate during their year of appointment as international referees, assistant referees, futsal referees or beach soccer referees. However, a FIFA assistant referee may not wear the FIFA international assistant referee’s badge in matches at which he is officiating as a referee. The same applies to a FIFA futsal referee or beach soccer referee when officiating at traditional football matches as a referee.

Article 10

The FIFA Referees Committee reserves the right to suspend or eliminate any international referee, assistant referee, futsal referee or beach soccer referee from the lists on grounds of mediocrity, indiscipline or for any other justifiable reason.

Article 11

The member associations to which international referees belong may request the FIFA Referees Committee in writing to suspend or remove a referee from the lists for any justifiable reason.

Article 12

The FIFA Referees Committee reserves the right to decide whether or not to appoint a referee appearing on the international lists.

Article 13

Decisions passed by the FIFA Referees Committee are final and not subject to appeal.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chief Executive Officer David Gallop announced the appointment of Australia’s first three full-time professional referees: Chris Beath (31), Jarred Gillett (29) and Ben Williams (38). The trio (photo) have signed contracts for the Hyundai A-League for the next two seasons.

Speaking at the announcement, David Gallop emphasised the historic significance of these appointments. “Professionalism for club footballers arrived in Australian at the start of the A-League in 2005 and there’s been a long-held ambition to make referees full-time,” Gallop said. “The reality is that limited resources for Australian football mean we have not been able to take this initiative until Season 11. We’ll start with a panel of three, instead of a full panel of seven, which would be required to cover every A-League match. It’s a compromise, but it’s a move in the right direction.” Establishing the three-member panel means FFA is investing a further $300,000 in the referee program across the Hyundai A-League, Westfield W-League and Foxtel National Youth League. Last season, a total of $1.2million was spent on refereeing. “Australian football now has a career pathway from the grassroots to the very top of the game. This aligns with the Whole of Football Plan, which calls for a lift in the retention rate of grassroots referees from 64% to 90%. The project to have a full-time professional referees program is at least three years in the making. I commend Ben Wilson, our Director of Referees, who has worked hard on the implementation and congratulate Chris, Jarred and Ben”, said Gallop.

FFA Director of Referees Ben Wilson was proud to see the appointment of Australia’s first full-time professional referees. “The breakthrough to professional referees means these match officials can prepare for their appointed matches, in a similar fashion to the players, without the added burden of juggling other work commitments,” Wilson said. “Our long-term vision is to increase the number of full-time professional referees in the Hyundai A-League and eventually the Westfield W-League in due course”.

The three referees named today have accepted two-year contracts and in addition to professional refereeing, would participate in a referee well-being program which has been established to enhance the development and welfare of all Hyundai A-League and Westfield W-League match officials. The referees will train regularly at the Referee Headquarters at the FFA’s Centre of Excellence which is located at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra.

Former World Cup referee Howard Webb believes that most officials welcome greater help from video technology and will not be undermined deferring to a colleague watching replays. Last season, the Netherlands trialled closed tests on such a system and will continue to train their officials for a time when they are given the go-ahead by FIFA, who rejected their application to run a live trial.

Webb has seen the technology in operation first-hand and believes the only way to see whether it will be of benefit or not is to actually put it into operation. "There is a misunderstanding in the public's eyes that referees would be against it because it would undermine their authority but even the PGMOL (the UK's official body for officials) were pretty positive about what is happening here," he told Soccerex in Manchester. "We went to Amsterdam Arena to look at this in practice. We are keen to look at anything which makes us more credible on the field of play and means we make less mistakes. You will always have subjectivity in refereeing and decisions but I think we need to see it live-trialled because we won't be able to see the argument moved forward. If the goal is to be 100 percent accurate on decision-making we won't reach that because what you and I think on a handball, for example, can vary because football is a subjective mater. But what this system would do is rule out those clear mistakes which can affect not only a game but the career of a referee, whose career can be tainted by one particular decision".

UEFA president Michel Platini has long been opposed to video technology, although he has conceded some ground and allowed it to be used at Euro 2016. Platini is running to be FIFA, Blatter's replacement which, if successful, is likely to mean there is less experimentation with technology in the world game. But Webb called for the Frenchman to be more open-minded, saying: "He's had a long held view not to support technology. I would say let's at least trial it."

Webb retired from refereeing in 2014 to become technical director for PGMOL but has since quit that post to become a pundit for BT Sport and consultant head of refereeing in Saudi Arabia. He admits officials in the Arab nation come under far more scrutiny that their Premier League counterparts. "There is certainly pressure on referees over there. The media are pretty keen to focus on mistakes made by referees,'' he added. "Genuine mistakes are analysed and inferences drawn as to why mistakes are made. It is a tough place to be a ref".